Over five months ago, cancer patient Ann Trachtenberg was about to start her chemotherapy treatments when she jokingly talked about wanting the University of Wisconsin marching band to memorialize her final dose of chemo. Trachtenberg’s niece heard the comment, and without telling her aunt, started making inquiries.

Fast forward to this week and Trachtenberg’s final treatment. As she walked out of the front door of the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Canter, with her daughter...